The Ballet Manila Archives is the repository of documents, print, photographic, audio and video materials and memorabilia relating to the history of Ballet Manila and the life and career of its founder, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This site is powered by Ms. Elizalde and Project Art, Inc.
Ballet Manila has showcased a rich palette of hues in its productions over the years. Now, the company’s true colors are revealed! Gathering photographs from the Ballet Manila Archives, we present the vibrant and the somber, the heavenly to the earthy, in a series of virtual exhibitions – one shade at a time.
The Pas de Trois in Act 1 of Swan Lake (2011) features dancers (from left) Yanti Marduli, Elpidio Magat Jr. and Jennifer Olayvar wearing attires in a soft shade of green as they prance at Prince Siegfried’s twenty-first birthday fete. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
Jamil Montibon is grooviness personified in a green turtleneck top and form-fitting black pants inspired by ‘60s fashion, perfect to dance Martin Lawrance’s The Winding Road in as it uses Beatles music. The choreography, which features other dancers sporting a similar look, premiered in Deux (2017). Photo by Ian Santos
In Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon, one of the stories in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2009), the kingdom ruled by Prinsesa Singsing’s father is attacked by giants. These green-feathered birds led by the prince referred to in the title come to the rescue even though the king had rejected him as the princess’ suitor. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
The Odalisques – Naomi Jaena, Jung Wong Shin and Sofia Sangco-Peralta – joyfully move as one in Le Corsaire (2013), wearing midriff-baring tutus in mint green flecked with beads, baubles and sequins. Photo by Jojo Mamangun
The all-male ensemble in Augustus “Bam” Damian III’s Reconfigured – part of the repertoire of Ballet & Ballads (2013) – is caught in mid-air in this shot, sporting olive green bottoms with side slits that flip and flare as they move. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
In the dream sequence of Don Quixote (2012), the Queen of the Dryads (Dawna Reign Mangahas) is ethereal in a seafoam green frock with accents that glitter upon catching the light. Photo by Jojo Mamangun
When the puppet he carved from wood comes to life in Pinocchio (2007), gone are the dull moments for Gepetto (Jonathan Janolo, left). But his clothes certainly didn’t need any more brightening as can be seen in his multi-colored outfit anchored by yellow green pants and matching yellow green scarf. No need to wonder where Pinocchio (Alvin Santos) gets his fashion sense from! Photo by Ocs Alvarez
